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Are you one of the millions of adults in need of adult braces who are unhappy, self-conscious or even embarrassed of your smile?

Many adults spend their entire lives covering their mouths when they laugh, smile or talk. They feel stuck because they do not want to wear adult metal braces for years or they are concerned that other corrective teeth straightening procedures could be too invasive or too expensive. Now, there is an effective, safe and affordable cosmetic braces solution that fits your lifestyle.

A revolutionary combination of proven orthodontic techniques, modern materials, and innovative thought - Six Month Smiles® utilizes specialized clear braces to gently straighten and align teeth in an average time of just six months.

Q: How can teeth be straightened in only six months with adult braces?
A: The Six Month Smiles technique employs the latest technology and techniques in dentistry to move your teeth quickly and safely with clear adult braces. The key components of the treatment are the use of unique, clear braces and a primary focus of moving the teeth that show when you smile.

Q: Six months sounds good, but will I still have a mouth full of metal braces for the whole time?
A: No! Six Month Smiles uses clear braces that are barely visible to gently straighten your teeth.

Q: How are Six Month Smiles braces more comfortable than regular braces?
A: Six Month Smiles uses low force to move teeth gently. Many people think that the accelerated braces treatment means simply “tightening” regular braces to get the teeth moving, but that is not true. Six Month Smiles utilizes standard orthodontic mechanics, but with an emphasis on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth rather than the position of your bite.

Q: Do Six Month Smiles braces damage the teeth, roots, or gums?
A: There are no more risks of root damage or other issues than those associated with traditional orthodontics. Since the forces used with Six Month Smiles braces are lighter and teeth are seldom extracted, there are actually even fewer risks involved with Six Month Smiles.

Q: Will I have to wear a retainer?
A: Yes, as with any teeth-straightening treatment a retainer is necessary to maintain the straighter position of your teeth. If you don’t want to wear a removable retainer, you can have a bonded retainer placed. There are a variety of options that you can choose from according to your personal preference and situation.

Q: What's the catch?
A: There is no catch. If you are an adult (17 years and older) with crooked or spaced teeth and you're not looking for a major alteration to your bite, this could be the solution for you!

Questions to ask the doctor during your Six Month Smiles consultation:

After you take impressions of my teeth how long before the Six Month Smiles braces will be put on?

After my teeth are straight are there any other cosmetic treatments that you would recommend for me such as whitening, bonding, or veneers?

Based on your initial assessment, about how many months do you expect that I will wear Six Month Smiles braces? (average is six months)

What type of retention do you recommend after treatment?

I understand that Six Month Smiles will not correct a severe overbite or underbite. Do either of these factors exclude me as a candidate?

Can you explain to me the differences between Six Month Smiles and traditional or comprehensive orthodontics? Which option is best for my situation?

Do you have any "Before & After" photos that you can show me or photos of patients wearing Six Month Smiles braces?

What types of payment options or payment plans do you offer?

Can you check to see if my insurance plan will cover a portion of the cost?

Over 29 million Americans suffer from migraines. The NTI-tss is indicated for migraine prevention. It is a small nightguard that comfortably fits over your four front teeth. Its patented design keeps your canine and back teeth apart. This separation minimizes the intensity of your nighttime clenching forces.

To demonstrate how the NTI-tss works, touch the muscles of the temples while biting down on a pencil with the back teeth as hard as possible. The temporal muscles will bulge and intensely contract. Now bite down on a pencil with only the front teeth. Those same temporal muscles remain relaxed. This diminished clenching intensity

The NTI-tss Plus™ protects teeth, muscles and joints by suppressing parafunctional muscle contraction by almost 70%. Originally developed to prevent migraine pain, the NTI-tss Plus is proven to be a superior alternative to full coverage bite guards.

The NTI-tss Plus also gives dentists a way to simply and effectively treat patients suffering from tension and migraine headaches by reducing the intensity of jaw clenching while the patient sleeps.

We are all familiar with migraines by now, the symptoms, side effects, triggers, throbbing, intense pain and sensitivity. But there are three things that you may not have known about migraines.

First, obesity could raise your risk. Data analyzed from almost 4,000 adults by researchers at Johns Hopkins found that the odds of episodic migraines were more than 80% higher in obese participants. The risk was greater among women, those under the age of 50. There is still debate between the link, but researchers do know that other factors like family history and gender make you more prone to having migraines as well.

Second, did you know that lightning could spark a migraine? Changes in weather or barometric pressure are known triggers, but a study suggests that lightning may affect the onset of migraines. This could be cause by electromagnetic waves, and increase in ozone or fungal spores caused by the lightning.

Lastly, poor treatment could lead to more frequent headaches. Research recently presented at a meeting of the International Headache Congress supports this theory. Scientists found that people with episodic migraines who received inadequate treatment for acute headaches were more likely to develop chronic migraines, defined as 15 or more migraine days a month.TMJ TREATMENTS
TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint – the joint where the jaw joins the skull.

Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma like the impact of an accident, or by excess muscle tension.

Problems in this area can result in:

Headache

Earache

Difficulty or soreness in opening and closing the mouth

Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the jaw

Painful jaw muscles

Soreness in the area, sometimes extending into the face

Dental treatment for the condition can include: replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, and filling gaps between teeth. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding which contributes to the problem. If left untreated, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged temporal-mandibular joint.

MORE COMFORTABLE, BETTER COMPLIANCE
The NTI-tss Plus is smaller, less bulky and won't trigger a gag reflex. Because it is more comfortable, patients actually wear it.

FASTER AND EASIER
Because the NTI-tss Plus covers only the front teeth it's easier to seat, saving you valuable time.

DURABLE, PRECISE FIT
NTI-tss Plus is made from Keller's Clear 450® thermoplastic material. Our high heat, high pressure injection process guarantees a perfect fit with proven durability. Clear 450 provides a perfect fit with no shrinkage and won't absorb stains or odors. Clear 450 is proven to last three times longer than conventional acrylic guards.

UPPER OR LOWER NTI-TSS PLUS
Although some doctors still prefer the maxillary NTI-tss Plus, more experienced users continue to find additional indications for a lower appliance. Factors that influence arch choice may include clinical crown length and tooth contour (retention), tooth rotations and malposition, uneven incisal edges, and narrow arch width. Your Keller technical advisor can make recommendations after models are mounted and analyzed in the laboratory.

Cosmetic dentistry is defined as “anything that is done to correct imperfections in the appearance of the mouth.” Have you ever wished that you could change something about the appearance of your smile? Have you ever wanted a brighter, more beautiful smile, with straighter teeth? Have you ever wished that your teeth were larger, or smaller? Some cosmetic options are: Six Month Smiles short term Orthodontics, Teeth whitening, smile design, Recontouring of the shape of the teeth, veneers, bonding, and the use of all-ceramic/porcelain crowns.

Q: What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?

A: Since teeth whitening has now become the number one aesthetic concern of many patients, there are many products and methods available to achieve a brighter smile.

Professional teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel, and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile. Over-the-counter products are also available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade. The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which may become darker over time. Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discoloration, making our teeth yellow and dull. Sometimes, teeth can become discolored from taking certain medications as a child, such as tetracycline. Excessive fluoridation (fluorosis) during tooth development can also cause teeth to become discolored.

It's important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you're a good candidate for bleaching. Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach and your dentist may offer other options, such as veneers or crowns to cover up such stains. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is also important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. before bleaching begins. Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth.

Since teeth whitening is not permanent, a touch-up may be needed every several years to keep your smile looking bright.

The most widely used professional teeth whitening systems:

Custom tray whitening systems: At-home products usually come in a gel form that is placed in a custom-fitted mouth guard (tray), created from a mold of your teeth. The trays are worn either twice a day for approximately 30 minutes, or overnight while you sleep. It usually takes several weeks to achieve the desired results depending on the degree of staining and the desired level of whitening.

In office teeth whitening: This treatment is done in the dental office and you will see results immediately. It may require more than one visit, with each visit lasting 90 minutes.
While your gums are protected, a bleaching solution is applied to the teeth. A special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent while the teeth are whitened.

Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity after having their teeth whitened.

This sensation is temporary and subsides shortly after you complete the bleaching process, usually within a few days to one week.

Teeth whitening can be very effective and can give you a brighter, whiter, more confident smile!

A remarkable procedure, implants can replace any or all of your teeth. The implant becomes integrated with the bone and acts like a “bolt” which will ultimately support a new tooth. The advantage of implants for patients with dentures are denture stability, increased patient comfort and confidence. This procedure is performed without involving the adjacent teeth.

In this procedure, a small titanium shaft is surgically implanted into the bone by a specialist. The bone grows around it, forming a tight connection which slows or stops the bone loss that occurs when the root of a natural tooth is missing. Once the implant is firmly set in the mouth, our office will attach a replacement tooth onto the top of the titanium shaft. Dental implants are a permanent solution that does not place stress on surrounding teeth for support, the way that a bridge does. In the event that the replacement tooth wears out, another can simply be placed on the shaft.

Dental implants can also be used as support anchors for an “Implant Bridge”, a single tooth, or a Denture to help secure it in case of limited bone. An Implant Bridge is an alternative to Partial Dentures, and it has several advantages. First, there is no adjustment period for the patient after the bridge is placed on the titanium shaft(s). Second, it slows the bone loss that accompanies missing teeth. Third, there is no discomfort or difficulty in eating. Fourth, and best of all, they don't have to be taken out like dentures.

The foundation of your teeth are the gums, ligaments and bone that surround them at the base. When this foundation is not healthy, when there is gum disease present, the teeth are jeopardized, just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Gum disease has many symptoms: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that have pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these signs may mean that something is wrong.

With proper treatment it may be possible to return gums to a healthy state. This usually involves a deep cleaning, or root planning, which is done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. Gum disease which has gotten too severe may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.

Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. We will evaluate your progression of periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment. Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket, they cause infection and damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth. If the disease is caught in the early stages (known as Gingivitis) and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings may be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings. However, if the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage, where the infection has caused bone loss and diseased pockets have formed, your treatment options may include scaling and root planning, bone surgery or gum therapy.

What Sealants Do for You
A sealant is a clear shaded plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars
and molars), where decay occurs most often. This sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the decay prone areas of the tooth from plaque and acid.

How Sealants are Applied
Each tooth only takes a few minutes to seal. First, the teeth that will be sealed will be cleaned. The chewing surfaces are then etched (roughened) with a weak acidic solution to help the sealant adhere to the teeth. Finally, the sealant is placed onto the tooth enamel and hardened. Some sealants need a special curing light to help them harden, while others do not.

How Long Do Sealants Last
When the sealant is applied, finger-like strands penetrate the pits and fissures of the tooth enamel. Although the sealant cannot be seen with the naked eye, the protective effect of these strands continues. As a result, it may be several years before another application of sealant is needed. Reapplication of the sealants will continue the protection against decay and may save the time and expense of having a tooth restored. Sealants will be checked during regular dental visits to determine if reapplication is necessary.

How Sealants Save Money
The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play a major role in the prevention of tooth decay.
When properly applied and maintained they can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of the tooth from decay. A total prevention program includes brushing twice a day, cleaning between teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaner, regular dental visits, and limiting the number of between-meal snacks.

Snap-On Smile is a patented, easy and painless way to obtain a beautiful smile. It was invented by a dentist who realized that not everyone can afford thousands of dollars to get a Hollywood smile make-over. After years of extensive research and development, Dr. Colker can now provide you with a Snap-On Smile that is thin and strong with the look of natural teeth. You can eat and drink with your Snap-On Smile. It’s easy to care for and can be a temporary or permanent cosmetic solution. It’s available for upper and lower teeth.

Snap-On Smile’s unique, proprietary formula of hi-tech dental resin make it very thin yet extremely strong. It fits right over your own teeth to give you a beautiful, natural looking smile—even if you have stains, chips, gaps or missing teeth.

And for many people, Snap-On Smile can be life changing. It gives back the confidence to smile. Thousands of people worldwide have already experienced the unique benefits of Snap-On Smile.

Snap-On Smile is for just about everyone!

Snap-On Smile is an affordable and life-changing solution for people of all ages. Getting a Snap-On Smile simply requires two, short, painless visits with no drilling, no shots and no change in tooth structure.

It is an excellent choice for:

Gaps, crooked, stained or missing teeth

Those who are not candidates for bridges or implants

Anyone who would like a Hollywood smile without the expense and discomfort of complex and invasive dental procedures

Anyone who has an old-fashioned removable partial denture and wants a beautiful, more comfortable alternative

It’s easy, it’s painless and you can start today

You pick the style and shade of your new smile

Your dentist takes an impression of your teeth

You come back in about three weeks for a final fitting and you wear your Snap-On Smile home

Whitening is the procedure of making teeth whiter and more attractive. It is reccomended to be done a week or two after your dental cleaning for best results. Our office uses several methods, including Zoom! and passive tray whitening.

Zoom2! is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It is safe, effective and fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. This convenience makes Zoom! and Rembrant Laser the perfect choice for the busy individual. The Zoom2! procedure begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. Then a whitening gel is applied. It is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter. A fluoride treatment completes the procedure. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure. Trays with whitening gel are recommended afterward for maximum whitening and maintenance.

Passive tray whitening: Impressions of your teeth are made and custom vinyl trays are created for you by our dental laboratory. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and they are worn for about 1 hour, or overnight. The entire process takes 3-4 weeks of daily use. Three different strengths of gel may be used, however the higher the strength, the greater the likelihood of reaction or tooth sensitivity. The tray method is recommended for teeth which are badly stained, such as those with tetracycline staining. It may take several months of use to see significant color improvement. For maintenance of whitened teeth the trays should be used every several months.
We now offer the 30 minute shower gel. They are worn for only 30 mins – brush your teeth, place the gel in the trays, take a shower, get ready for school or work and in 30 mins you can remove your trays. This can take as little as a few days up to 2 weeks. How White do you want? We can help.

The end results of using trays at home is about the same as Zoom! . The cost of the tray method is about half the cost of Zoom! and light system, and there is usually less post-treatment sensitivity.home

Bonding involves adhering composite resin material (Tooth colored Material) to the front of the tooth. This material has been matched to the color of the tooth, so that it looks like part of your natural tooth. Bonding is a procedure that is done to repair damage to the tooth caused by decay; it is done to change the alignment of the tooth, to close gaps between the teeth, or for cosmetic purposes.

First the surface of the tooth is roughened in order to accept the bonding and hold it. A gel is applied to micro-etch the tooth surface, and a primer/bonding agent is applied so that the bonding material adheres to the surface. Then, the bonding material is placed on the tooth and hardened with intense light. It is then shaped, and polished to a lustrous finish.

Fillings with Tooth Colored Material are used to replace tooth structure that has been removed in order to get rid of decay.

Composite resin material for fillings are now commonplace. Decay caught early enough, tooth decay can be treated easily and painlessly. If it is not treated, tooth decay can lead to pain and/or infection requiring root canal treatment or extraction.home

This is an aesthetic process in which a covering is placed on the part of a tooth that is visible when talking or smiling. This covering recreates the effect of a new tooth. There are two approaches to this procedure: the direct technique and the indirect technique.

The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding (scroll up to see information on bonding).

The indirect technique usually involves two appointments. At the first appointment the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are protected with a temporary covering. The impressions are sent to our dental laboratory which creates the veneers, usually out of porcelain or pressed ceramic. At the second appointment, the temporary covering is removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth.

One advantage of using veneers instead of crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, which is better for the tooth, and the procedure is generally more comfortable. Veneers are generally recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure, to help create a more ideal smile, lengthen your teeth, brighten and whiten, and can help straighten slightly crocked teeth.

Q: What are porcelain veneers and how can they improve my smile?
A: Porcelain veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually crafted to cover the fronts of teeth. They are very durable and will not stain, making them a very popular solution for those seeking to restore or enhance the beauty of their smile.

Veneers may be used to restore or correct the
following dental conditions:

Severely discolored or stained teeth

Unwanted or uneven spaces

Worn or chipped teeth

Slight tooth crowding

Misshapen teeth

Teeth that are too small or large

Getting veneers usually requires two visits. Veneers are created from an impression (mold) of your teeth that is then sent to a professional dental laboratory where each veneer is custom-made (for shape and color) for your individual smile.

With little or no anesthesia, teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the front surface of the teeth to allow for the small thickness of veneers. The veneers are carefully fitted and bonded onto the tooth surface with special bonding cements and occasionally a specialized light may be used to harden and set the bond.

Veneers are an excellent dental treatment that can dramatically improve your teeth and give you a natural, beautiful smile.
Vivaneers™ No-Prep Veneers (no drilling) Vivaneers are razor thin veneers. They are the perfect solution to cover stained, discolored or chipped teeth, or as a way to fill in spaces between your teeth. Measuring 0.3 mm, these ultra-thin porcelain veneers will give you the smile you've always dreamed of without any shots, drilling or pain.

Custom-made to fit your mouth, each porcelain veneer is delicately crafted to exhibit a beautiful, lifelike look. Whether replacing multiple teeth or a few, take comfort in knowing each Vivaneer will blend naturally with your surrounding teeth. Vivaneers are different from traditional dental veneers in that traditional dental veneers require shots to numb the mouth as existing teeth are shaved down with a drill.

An integral part of maintaining your teeth for life is the removal of plaque and tarter on a regular basis. The frequency of your visits is based upon your individual needs and oral health. During your visit to our San Clemente office we will update your medical history, perform an oral cancer screening exam, check your teeth for cavities, review oral hygiene instruction, and monitor your periodontal (gum) condition. Fluoride treatments are provided for children under the age of thirteen and for those adults when appropriate or requested.

A crown (cap or Jacket) is used to cover and protect a tooth which is likely to break, or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. Crowns are most commonly used to protect a tooth after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole in the tooth that was made by tooth decay, the more likely that tooth will need a crown to protect it.

Your jaw muscles are the strongest muscles in your body. Teeth are subject to tremendous pressures in day-to-day use. A crowns covers the weakened tooth, protecting it from breaking under the pressure. A broken or cracked tooth is a serious matter which can be difficult to treat.

It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. At the first of these appointments, any decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped to fit the crown. Then, an impression of the tooth is made. This impression is used in making the crown, to ensure that it fits your mouth. Between the first and second visits, the crown is made. It is usually made of high-strength porcelain covering a foundation that is made of either a gold alloy, an all-ceramic material, or gold. In between the two appointments, a temporary crown is worn. At the second visit, this temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is cemented in place.

Bridges

A bridge is an option that is used to fill the space created by a missing tooth. The sides of a bridge use the tooth in front and the tooth in back of the bridge, for support. A bridge replaces a missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is a science. The materials used for the bridge may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to a metal alloy, or an all-ceramic material. The choice of material depends on what is needed for strength, wear, and/or aesthetics.

It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible. If it is not treated, the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, which leads to a chain reaction of bad things. Normally, teeth use their neighbors for support, and with one missing, they start to "fall." As this worsens, the bite changes in response to pressure from daily use. This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw. The surrounding teeth begin to deteriorate and unless this deterioration is handled, it is just a matter of time before they too are lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem which becomes more difficult to treat as the neglect continues.

The aveoTSD® is a simple treatment for snoring. If you or someone you love suffers from snoring, the aveoTSD anti-snoring device will reenergize your life.

Traditional mandibular advancement devices indirectly move the tongue forward by moving the mandible. But the aveoTSD directly suctions onto the tongue, preventing it from falling back into the throat and increasing airway volume. Made of medical-grade silicone, the aveoTSD is the only anti-snoring device that is indicated for anyone — including those who wear full dentures!

Save yourself from another sleepless night by calling Dr. Colker’s office at 949 366-0291 about the aveoTSD anti-snoring device today.